MESOPOTAMIAN ART Near Eastern Art

Where was Mesopotamia? Mesopotamia was known as "The land between the rivers“ Mesopotamia was known as "The land between the rivers“ This name was given to the lands lying between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. This name was given to the lands lying between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. The space we call Mesopotamia is roughly the same as that of the modern country of Iraq. The space we call Mesopotamia is roughly the same as that of the modern country of Iraq.

Timeline 9000 – 5000 BC Early Farming Communities 9000 – 5000 BC Early Farming Communities 5000 – 3500 BC Pre-Sumerians 5000 – 3500 BC Pre-Sumerians 3500 – 1900 BC Sumerians 3500 – 1900 BC Sumerians 1900 – 500 BC Babylonians and Assyrians 1900 – 500 BC Babylonians and Assyrians

An area in conflict Unlike their southern neighbors, the Mesopotamian area was in conflict between warring nations very frequently. Unlike their southern neighbors, the Mesopotamian area was in conflict between warring nations very frequently. This area also required much more maintenance of their agriculture systems. This area also required much more maintenance of their agriculture systems. Because of these and other factors, this area had a more limited development of art as compared to Egypt. Because of these and other factors, this area had a more limited development of art as compared to Egypt.

Mythical creatures Mythical creatures Mesopotamian sculptures included mythical creatures at times. Mesopotamian sculptures included mythical creatures at times. The figure to the right is an Assyrian genie. The figure to the right is an Assyrian genie. A genie is an Islamic ´jinn´ a spirit capable of appearing in human and animal form to influence humans for good OR evil. A genie is an Islamic ´jinn´ a spirit capable of appearing in human and animal form to influence humans for good OR evil.

Human Figures Sculptures in this area often showed long beards on the peoples faces. Sculptures in this area often showed long beards on the peoples faces. The long beard represented power in their society. The long beard represented power in their society. Most reliefs and paintings would tell stories of battles or proclaimed the power of the ruler. Most reliefs and paintings would tell stories of battles or proclaimed the power of the ruler.

Ziggurats In Sumerian cities they built ziggurats for their worship. A ziggurat is a step pyramid with a temple at the top. In Sumerian cities they built ziggurats for their worship. A ziggurat is a step pyramid with a temple at the top. Normally each city would have one main ziggurat dedicated to the city´s special god. Normally each city would have one main ziggurat dedicated to the city´s special god.

Lion leading to Ishtar's Gate

Persian Bull

Human-Headed Lions

Hunting scene, 2250–2150 B.C.

Eye idol, 3500–3100 B.C This figurine is made of stone and having incised eyes. This figurine is made of stone and having incised eyes. It was excavated at Tell Brak, where thousands were found in a building now called the Eye Temple. It was excavated at Tell Brak, where thousands were found in a building now called the Eye Temple. The idols are thought to be offerings—wide eyes demonstrate attentiveness to the gods in much Mesopotamian art. The idols are thought to be offerings—wide eyes demonstrate attentiveness to the gods in much Mesopotamian art.